After sharing an AHL farm team with the Carolina Hurricanes for the past couple of years, the Avalanche will now enjoy their own solo development club. Enter the Cleveland-based Lake Erie Monsters (I call the mascot "Steamer").
The Monsters have released their schedule for the 2007-08 season, and it looks like an easy one. Lots of days off with most games bunched up together.
No word on the roster yet, of course. That won't be finalized until after the Avalanche training camp in September, but Cleveland fans should look for TJ Hensick, Ray Macias, Jaroslav Hlinka and Chris Stewart to be the Lake Erie standouts.
I might make the trek up to northern Ohio at least once this season and check out the team myself.